HCTC employees helped give a hero’s welcome to U.S. Army Cpl. Billy Joe Butler, whose remains were returned home nearly 70 years after he was taken as a prisoner of war in North Korea.
Butler, who enlisted at 19, was captured in 1950. His family was notified earlier this year that his remains had been positively identified. He was laid to rest in July near his parents in Nichols Cemetery. “Today was a special moment in Kerr County history,” says Samantha Rathke, an HCTC employee.
“It was truly humbling to see the patriotism of our employees in support of our community and our American heroes.”